A selection of useful tools (software and online services) for creating dynamic prototypes, interactive mock-ups and outline mobile applications.
A small collection of useful tools for the designer developing mobile applications are as follows:
- Proto
Platform for prototyping mobile applications. Creating interactive prototypes and simulating basic user actions with support for major browsers. There is an editor, a prototype creation panel and a player for viewing an interactive prototype at work.
The finished prototype can be tested on a real mobile device or in a browser.
- Moqups
HTML5 mock-up tool with a simple interface and a set of forms, buttons, fields, containers and basic interface elements.
It contains templates for prototyping iPhone and iPad apps.
- UXPin
A quick prototype tool based on simple mark-up from scratch. It is possible to control iterations, editing and joint commenting of the project by several designers and developers in real-time.
- Balsamiq
One of the most popular prototyping tools for mobile interfaces and applications. Included are dozens and hundreds of icons and interface elements. There are templates for several major smartphones and mobile operating systems.
- Justinmind
A platform for the design and prototyping of mobile applications for iPhone, Android smartphones and iPad. Supports work with widgets.
- Fluid
HTML5 browser application for creating interactive prototypes of mobile applications for Android, iOS and Windows 8. Supports drag-and-drop editing, animation and a library of 1700+ ready-made interface elements. It is possible to export design prototypes to various types of documents and images.
- Axure
Interactive prototype generator with quick visual editing and downloadable libraries for widgets with frame support for iOS, Retina screens, libraries for iPhone, iPad and Android.
- Mockflow
Fast application framing tool and prototyping library with support for application design development for iPhone, Android, iPad and Windows Phone.
- Protoshare
Powerful design platform with support for 2D and 3D animation of finished prototypes. Prototypes of design decisions can be exported and installed on iPhone, iPad or Android-smartphone for further testing.
- Wireframe
A simple tool for framing and prototyping with support for quick drawing in a couple of clicks. It offers two basic fields for developing a template or prototype: a view in a browser window and a view on a smartphone screen. It supports the development of a design concept for horizontal and vertical orientation of the screen of mobile devices (smartphones and tablets).
